Lesbos
/ˈlɛzbɒs/noun
A Greek island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, historically associated with the poet Sappho.
Did you know?The modern word “lesbian” ultimately comes from Lesbos because Sappho, who lived there around the sixth century BCE, wrote passionately about her love for women.
Etymological Timeline
Archaic Greek
Ancient Greek
Λέσβος (Lésbos)
“The ancient name of the Aegean island; its deeper origin is uncertain and may be pre-Greek.”
6th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Λέσβος
“The island associated with Sappho, one of antiquity’s most celebrated lyric poets.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Lesbos
“The Latin form of the island’s Greek name.”
17th Century
English
Lesbian
“Relating to Lesbos or to Sappho; later increasingly associated with female same-sex desire.”
19th Century
English
lesbian
“A woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to women.”
Modern English
English
Lesbos
“The contemporary English name of the Greek island.”
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